In October 2025, a one-year trial phase will begin on the Dutch Betuweroute, one of Europe's most important and modern freight transport routes. During ATO operation, the locomotive will automatically accelerate, drive, brake and stop. Safety remains the top priority: a train driver will remain on board, supported by a central remote monitoring and control team. During the trial, various types of wagons and loading scenarios will be tested, ranging from heavy bulk goods wagons to partially filled tank wagons. Additionally, the combination of ATO and RTO technologies will be tested in an open network for the first time.
Sigrid Nikutta, Member of the Management Board for Freight Transport at Deutsche Bahn and Chair of the Management Board of DB Cargo, explains: 'Automated, i.e. self-driving, locomotives use the tracks more efficiently, enabling us to increase capacity and improve the quality of rail freight transport. The premiere of this automated locomotive at the Cologne-Gremberg marshalling yard is an important step for the future of European rail freight transport.
This project forms part of the federal programme "Future Rail Freight Transport for the Promotion of Innovation" through which the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMVI) aims to accelerate the development and timely market introduction of innovative freight transport technologies, thereby increasing the market share of rail freight in Germany. Federal funds amounting to 18.86 million euros have been invested in this project. The aim is obvious: making rail freight transport across Europe more efficient, flexible and competitive is the goal of ATO and RTO.
